Joseph Pentangelo of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) said the creature, which belonged to a nine-year-old, died during a domestic dispute last June.

The 19-year-old is accused of choking and squeezing the four-ounce hamster and throwing it on the floor. It was then thrown across the street, though tests concluded that the animal was probably already dead by the time that happened.

Mr Pentangelo says the charges include aggravated cruelty to animals and child endangerment. He claimed three children witnessed the hamster's death.

The Brooklyn teenager was arrested on Tuesday night. If convicted, she could face up to two years in prison.